"Motherless Children" is a blues standard first recorded by Blind Willie Jo… Read Full Bio ↴"Motherless Children" is a blues standard first recorded by Blind Willie Johnson in 1927, and later popularised (inter alia) by such names as Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Steve Miller, Eric Clapton, and Lucinda Williams.

The song has an autobiographical theme, as Johnson's mother died when he was young. His father remarried soon after her death, and later the stepmother allegedly blinded the boy with lye after the father found her in flagrante delicto.

Motherless Children
Blind Willie Johnson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, well, well, ah.
A motherless children have a hard time.
Motherless children have a hard time, Mother's dead.
They'll not have anywhere to go,
Wanderin around from door to door.
Have a hard time.

Nobody on Earth can take a mother's place when, when Mother is dead, Lord.

Nobody on Earth takes Mother's place when, Mother's dead.
Nobody on Earth takes Mother's place,
When you were startin, paved the way.
Nobody treats you like Mother will when.

Your wife or husband may be good to you, when Mother is dead, Lord.
They'll be good to you, Mother's dead.
A wife or a husband may be good to you,
But, better than nothing has proved untrue.
Nobody treats you like Mother will when, when Mother is dead, Lord.

Lord, Lord, Lord. Yeah, well, ah. Well, some people say that Sister will do, when Mother is dead.
That Sister will do when Mother's dead.
Some people say that Sister will do,
But, as soon as she's married, she turn her back on you.
Nobody treats you like Mother will.

And Father will do the best he can, when Mother is dead, Lord.
Well, the best he can when Mother is dead.
Father will do the best he can,
So many things a father can't understand.
Nobody treats you like Mother will.

A motherless children have a hard time, when Mother is dead, Lord.
Motherless children have a hard time, mother's dead.
They'll not have anywhere to go,

Wanderin around from door to door.
Have a hard time.

Overall Meaning

Blind Willie Johnson's song, "Motherless Children," is a heart-wrenching blues tune about the challenges that children face when they lose their mother. Johnson's mournful voice, accompanied by his slide guitar, evokes a sense of despair and isolation that is palpable throughout the track. The lyrics emphasize the fact that nobody can replace a mother, and that the absence of a mother can lead to a lifetime of hardship.

The first verse sets the tone for the song, with Johnson lamenting the difficulties that motherless children face. He explains that without a mother, these children "will not have anywhere to go" and will be forced to wander "from door to door." The second verse emphasizes the irreplaceable nature of a mother, highlighting the fact that nobody on Earth can take her place. Even a good wife or husband is unable to fill the void left by a mother's death. The third and final verse suggests that some people believe that siblings or fathers can take over motherly duties, but that these surrogate caregivers are ultimately unable to provide the same level of care and support that a mother can.

"Motherless Children" is a powerful song that speaks to the universal experience of loss and grief. Johnson's lyrics are simple and direct, yet they pack a powerful emotional punch. By emphasizing the unique role that mothers play in our lives, Johnson highlights the devastating impact that their absence can have.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, well, well, ah.
Starting with an expression of surprise or greeting.

A motherless children have a hard time.
Children without a mother usually face hardships and difficulties.

Motherless children have a hard time, Mother's dead.
The reason for the children being motherless is the death of the mother.

They'll not have anywhere to go,
Without a mother, the children won't have a place to call home.

Wanderin around from door to door.
They will wander aimlessly looking for shelter.

Have a hard time.
Their life will be full of struggles and difficulties.

Nobody on Earth can take a mother's place when, when Mother is dead, Lord.
No one can replace a mother's love and care after her death.

Nobody on Earth takes Mother's place when, Mother's dead.
Same as above but reiterated in different words.

Nobody on Earth takes Mother's place, When you were startin, paved the way.
A mother plays a pivotal role in a child's life from the beginning; she guides and paves their way.

Nobody treats you like Mother will when.
A mother's love and care are unique and cannot be replicated by anyone else.

Your wife or husband may be good to you, when Mother is dead, Lord.
A spouse can provide love and support but cannot replace a mother's love.

They'll be good to you, Mother's dead.
Same as above but reiterated in different words.

A wife or a husband may be good to you, But, better than nothing has proved untrue.
Although a spouse can be supportive, they may not replace a mother's love and care.

Lord, Lord, Lord. Yeah, well, ah.
An expression of sorrow and grief.

Some people say that Sister will do, when Mother is dead.
Some people suggest that a sister can replace a mother but may not always be reliable.

That Sister will do when Mother's dead.
Same as above but reiterated in different words.

But, as soon as she's married, she turn her back on you.
A sister may abandon her sibling after getting married.

And Father will do the best he can, when Mother is dead, Lord.
A father will try his best to take care of his children after the death of their mother.

Well, the best he can when Mother is dead.
Same as above but reiterated in different words.

So many things a father can't understand.
A father may not always understand his children's needs and emotions.

A motherless children have a hard time, when Mother is dead, Lord.
Reiterating the initial statement that without a mother, children will face a challenging life.

Motherless children have a hard time, mother's dead.
The reason for their challenges is the mother's absence due to death.

They'll not have anywhere to go,
Reiterating the children's struggle to find a place to call home without a mother.

Wanderin around from door to door.
Continuing the idea that they will wander aimlessly in search of shelter.

Have a hard time.
Reiterating that their lives will be full of difficulties and struggles.

Contributed by Anthony N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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